Portland Commits $600M to Renovate Moda Center

Mayor says upgrades are a priority for the city, not just for the Trail Blazers.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 10:54pm by Ben Kaplan

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the Moda Center arena and surrounding cityscape in a cubist style, using the team's colors of red, black, and white to capture the energy and dynamism of the upcoming renovations.A cubist interpretation of the Moda Center's upcoming renovations, reflecting Portland's commitment to modernizing the iconic arena.Portland Today

Portland Mayor Keith Wilson announced the city's commitment to renovating the Moda Center, the home arena of the NBA's Trail Blazers. Wilson stated that the $600 million in renovations are a priority for the city, regardless of whether the Blazers continue playing at the 30-year-old arena. The mayor expects the city, state, and county to cover the full cost of the upgrades, with the Blazers' new owner Tom Dundon only contributing if they want specific additional improvements beyond the city's plans.

Why it matters

The Moda Center renovation is a significant investment for Portland, as the arena serves as a major sports and entertainment venue for the region. The upgrades will help ensure the facility remains a competitive and attractive destination, benefiting the local economy and community. However, the city's willingness to fund the entire project, without requiring the Blazers' ownership to contribute, raises questions about the team's long-term future in Portland.

The details

Mayor Wilson stated that the Moda Center renovation is a priority for the city, and the funding will come from a combination of city, state, and county sources. He emphasized that the project is not about 'doing the Blazers' bidding,' but rather maintaining a 30-year-old facility that is no longer state-of-the-art. In return for the city's investment, the Blazers would sign a new 20-year lease to continue playing at the arena.

  • On April 6, 2026, the Oregon Legislature passed SB 1501, which helped pave the way for the Moda Center renovations.
  • On April 8, 2026, Mayor Wilson publicly announced the city's commitment to the $600 million renovation project.

The players

Keith Wilson

The mayor of Portland, Oregon, who announced the city's commitment to renovating the Moda Center.

Tom Dundon

The new owner of the Portland Trail Blazers, who may contribute to certain upgrades beyond the city's renovation plans.

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What they’re saying

“This is Oregon's arena. We want to be a draw both nationally and internationally. It's not about the Blazers and it's not about doing their bidding. It's about a 30-year-old structure that is no longer state of the art.”

— Keith Wilson, Mayor of Portland

“Moda Center renovation is a priority for Portland, and whether the Trail Blazers continue to play at the arena or not, the city would have to renovate.”

— Keith Wilson, Mayor of Portland

What’s next

The city, state, and county governments will now work together to finalize the funding plan and timeline for the Moda Center renovations. The Trail Blazers' new owner, Tom Dundon, may choose to contribute to certain upgrades beyond the city's base renovation plans.

The takeaway

Portland's commitment to investing $600 million in the Moda Center renovation demonstrates the city's desire to maintain the arena as a premier sports and entertainment venue, even if it means funding the project without significant contributions from the Trail Blazers' ownership. This move raises questions about the team's long-term future in Portland, as the city appears willing to make the necessary upgrades to the arena regardless of the Blazers' involvement.